By Edward Chaykovsky

Later tonight, Ricky Burns will defend his WBA junior welterweight world title against mandatory challenger Kiryl Relikh at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, live on Sky Sports.

If Burns (40-5-1, 14KOs) defeats Relikh (21-0, 19KOs), who is handled by Manchester legend Ricky Hatton, then the Scottish fighter will head to a December title defense against former four division world champion Adrien Broner (32-2, 24KOs).

Broner has been out of the ring since an April technical knockout over Ashley Theophane. Broner had the WBA title at the time, but lost it on the scale after failing to make weight. He was initially going to move back up to the welterweight division - a decision which changed a few weeks later.

A fight between Broner and Burns has been talked about for some time. Broner tried to get Burns at 130-pounds, but Burns moved up in weight to 135. Once Broner went up to 135 and once again tried to get a fight with Burns, there was another jump in weight as Burns headed up to 140.

“Broner called me out at super featherweight, lightweight and now at super lightweight. There was talk about it for this fight amongst others, but get the job done against Relikh and we can make that fight," Burns said.

“I'm more than prepared to go to America for that fight. People say it's a risky fight and more so going over there for it, but I wouldn't take it if I didn’t think I could win. I know it's a hard fight but I am more than confident I can beat him anywhere, and if it happens I'll be really up for it.

“I think I've always been on the tip of his tongue because it's been meant to happen a few times. I fought for the title that he lost on the scales, he's been in a bit of bother but seems to be back in the gym and has sorted all that out, so I get this win and that fight should go ahead.

“Eddie and Tony only want the biggest fights for me and that's great. I'll fight anyone and if they happen to be big names in America or big names we bring to Glasgow, then that’s great. You can only take it one fight at a time and it's great to be back in here and fighting a dangerous mandatory."